A DUBLIN local authority has said it will review a scheme to impose a €43,000 levy on every home built within a 150 hectare area near the Dublin mountains.
Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council had introduced a scheme to raise almost €150 million to develop infrastructure in Kilternan and Glenamuck through a levy on development.
The Supplementary Development Contribution Scheme imposes a levy of €43,448 per unit on residential developments, while commercial and retail developments are levied at €200 per square metre. The levies are earmarked to fund the building of two roads and a surface water scheme for the area.
Two-thirds of the land included in the scheme is zoned for residential development, with the remainder for economic development, neighbourhood facilities, open space and agriculture.
Documents released to the Kilternan Residents’ Association under the Freedom of Information Act show the council’s own consultants advised against the levy scheme.
Local Fine Gael TD George Lee said the levy scheme was lunacy.
“If Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council proceeds with this plan, the money will be spent, the roads will be constructed, but apartments will never be built,” he said.
Last night, the council said it rejected any suggestion it should abandon the provision of roads, public transport and drainage infrastructure.
“At the same time the council is conscious of the fall in land values over the past three years, and it is our intention to review the levy scheme in 2010,” a spokeswoman said.
